“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6:19-20

How many of you have a treasure?  It doesn’t have to be an item that is worth a particularly large amount of money, but it remains a treasure to you nonetheless.  Depending on what that item is you may go to some great lengths to protect that item. It may be in a safe, or even a bank deposit box.  It might be in a cabinet or otherwise protected space so that it is not disrupted or disturbed. It might be something like Grandma’s China that is in the special dish cabinet (you know the stuff that will only see the light of day if the Queen herself is coming to dinner).

As I thought about what items I might consider my treasures I  realized that I am guilty of keeping them tucked away, attempting to  protect them from moth, rust or thief. The truth is, though, that any and every earthly material item has a shelf life. Try as we might to protect them those items can and will eventually be consumed.

I am certain that is why Jesus implored those who would listen to build up instead treasures in heaven.  To be clear I do not believe that Jesus was referencing some heavenly safe deposit box that we will be able to open and enjoy on the other side of eternity.  I think instead Jesus wanted his followers to understand that in the end all those earthly treasures are insignificant and will pass away. But, heavenly treasures they make a difference for eternity.  I once read that we are making deposits in those heavenly treasures when we: give of our resources as well as ourselves; pray and fast in private; forgive someone; share the gospel; love our enemies; endure insults and persecutions.  Basically when we do the things that Jesus taught us to do. And it is here that we see the difference between those earthly treasures and the heavenly ones. Our earthly treasures often result in things kept stashed away privately from the world, while our heavenly ones result in our interaction with or concern for others.

No, I don’t believe that Jesus has the angels keeping a scorecard of who has deposited what in that heavenly treasure bank because that has nothing to do with our ability or inability to join Him there.  Our     salvation has already been bought at a very high price. But, I do believe Jesus has called us to leave behind those earthly treasures and instead seek the heavenly ones because in doing those things we are showing the world Christ’s love and we are promoting His Kingdom here on Earth.  There is a large part of the world who still seek after those earthly treasures, I hope that we, as the Church of Jesus Christ, can continue making deposits in the heavenly ones, not for our glory, but for His.

God Bless,

Pastor Devin

To see all the happenings at EUMC and read the rest of the March newsletter, click here: March 2019